Studio couch



March 5, 1940. KERR 5 AL 2,192,230

STUD0 COUCH Filed Sept. 17, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' 8 Joseph .1. P0 er's Edward 0. Keir March 5, 1940. E, o, E 1- AL 2,192,230

STUDIO, COUCH Filed Sept. 17,1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jbse h J. Rogers. Edward 0. Kerr:

Patented Mar. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES s'rumo cooon Edward o, Kerr and J oseph J. Rogers, Houston, Tex.

Application September 17, 1937, Serial No. 164,323 r 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in convertible couches.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved convertible couch of the type generally 5 known and referred to as a studio couch, which may be readily converted into a double bed or two singlebeds and which is simple-in construction, whereby operation is facilitated and manufacturing costs are reduced,

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved couch including a main or upholstered section and a movable or secondary section which is normally located beneath the upholstered section and is completely out of the way when the couch is being used as such, there being improved means for lifting the front portion of the main section to permit the lower or secondary section to be readily slid forwardly or outwardly to form the bedQthe lifting of said main section in this manner obviating the necessity of providing swingi g panels or the like, in the upholstered section, whereby the tailoring of the upholstered section, as well as the general appearance of the same is enhanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a couch of the character described wherein pivoted lifting members are mounted on the upholstered section and when swung, are arranged to lift the front portion of said section to permit the lower section to be slid-from therebeneath; the lifting members being'so constructed that they may be extended and bent so as to form the back of the couch, whereby they become a part of thecouch and thereby eliminate unsightly auxiliary levers or handles; the provision of said members also facilitating the conversion of the bed since stooping or-bending to raise the comparatively heavy upholstered section is eliminated.

Still another object of the invention is to 1 provide an improved mechanism for lifting the upholstered section of a studio couch which is so constructed that after the mechanism has been operated and the couch has been converted into a bed or beds, said mechanism isreturned to its normal or original position completely out of the way; there being counterbalancing means associated with the lifting mechanism to faoi1i-- tate its operation. i

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and and includes a substantially rectangular, angular by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: I

Figure l is a side elevation of a couch, constructed in accordance with the invention, with the lower section in place beneath the upholstered section. I

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the forward end of the upholstered section raised and the lower sectionpartially moved from beneath the' same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the couch converted into a bed, and

Figure 4 is a plan view, with portions broken away to show the relation of the upper and lower sections to each other when moved into position to form a bed.

In the drawings, the letter A designates the upholstered section of a studio couch which section will be hereinafter referred to as the stationary section. This section includes a substantially rectangular frame Ill (Figure 4) which has angular legs or supports H at its inside corners. The legs depend vertically from said frame and have their lower ends adapted to rest upon the floor or other Support, whereby the frame is spaced from said floor. The frame is completely enclosed on its top and side by upholstering [2 whereby the top of the section A 9 is cushioned in the usual manner. The upholstering covers the upper portions of the legs H but has its lower edge terminating a short distance from the lower end of the legs, whereby this lower edge is spaced from the floor. The" particular method of upholstering'the section A 'forms no part of the present'inventio-n and is therefore, subject to variation.

Amo vable or lower section B is adapted to fit beneath the stationary or upholstered section A frame l3 which is of a smaller size than the frame l0. Depending legs [4 are provided at the corners of the frame 13 and have casters or rollers 15 mounted-on their lower ends, whereby movement or sliding. of the section 3 across the floor or other support, is facilitated. A suitable spring structure Hi spans or extends across the frame l3 being fastened in openings l'l pro vided in said frame. The legs M which support the section B, are of less height than the legs I l, which support the upholstered section A; so-that when the former section is in position beneath the latter, as. shown in Figure 1, the top of the frame I3 is in a plane below the top of the frame 6.5

Ill. Since the frame I3 is smaller in size than the-frame II], it is completely encircled by said frame l0 and is entirely hidden from view by the upholstered sides of the section A.

In order to assure the straight outward sliding of the section B from beneath the section; A.

end has a pin 26 which is movable in a' slot2l formed'in a longitudinal bar 22 secured to the frame [3. The bar l8 has one end pivoted to the bar 22 while its other end has a pin 23 which. is movable in a slot 24 in the frame ii]. The

equalizing bars assure a straight movement of the section B with relation to the section A and prevent binding thereof. However, said bars are not a part of the present invention [and if desired, they may be eliminated.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the movable or lower section B may be moved .beneath the upholstered orstationary section A and the latter will completely cover or enclose the same so as to hide said section B from View. When it is desired to move the section B from beneath the section A so as to convert the couch into a bed, it is necessary that the front portion of the section Abe raised or lifted a suflicient distance to allow the section B toclearthe front longitudinal bar of the frame Ill. v

For easily and quickly accomplishing this lift ing or raising of the front portion of the section A, an actuating member 25 is provided. This member is shown as an elongate rod which extends longitudinally across the back of the section A and has its ends bent downwardly and forwardly to form a pair of lifting arms or levers 26 (Figure 1). The arms extend contiguous to the sides of the section A and each arm is pivoted near its lower or forward end on a pin 21, which is mounted in the side of the frame Ii] of the section A. The longitudinal portion of the actuating member 25 is spaced above the top ;of the section, so as tofo-rm a back rest for the couch and when in such position, the rearward movement of thisportion of the memberis limited by stop lugs 28 which extend outwardly from the sides of the frame I6. These lugs are engaged by theupper or rear ends of the arms 26.

With this arrangement, it is possible ,to form theback rest and lifting arms of a single rod bent to the proper shape which greatly reduces manufacturing cost, but obviously, the arms 26 could be madev separate from the back rest and from each other.

The lower or forward end of each liftingarm or lever has depending ears 29 between which a caster or roller 36 is mounted. A coiled, counterbalancing spring 3| has one end secured to the ears and its opposite end fastenedto "a. pin 32' extending outwardly from the side .of the frame and. this spring exerts its pressure to constantly urge the forward or lower end of the arm rearwardly of the section A. The disposition of the stop lugs 28 and the distance from the pivot pins 27 to the casters or rollers 36 is such that, when the'arms are in a normal inactive position, as shown in Figure 1, there isa slight clearance between the casters 36 and the floor, or other support. v.

The sectionA has the usualmattress 33- normally supported thereon and backpillows-v or cushions 34 are rested against the back formed by the longitudinal portion of the actuating member 25. The lifting arms 26, together with their associate parts, are covered and substantially hidden from view by the usual side framework (not shown) which provides side arm supports on the couch.

When being used as a couch, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1, with the movable section B completely hidden beneath the upholstered section A. When the couch is to be converted into abed, the pillows 36 are removed, and the longitudinal portion of the actuating mem-; ber 25 is swung forwardly of and over the section forward or lower ends of the lifting arms 26 downwardly and rearwardly, the swinging of said arms being on the'pivots 21. 'This swinging of said arms is aided by the coiled springs 3|, and the casters 36 are engaged with the floor. Continued rearward movement of said rollers along the floor causes an upward or lifting movement of the front portion of the section A, as the pivot pins 27 which are attached to the frame Illare moved upwardlywith relation to said floor. The forward swinging of the actuating member 25 and rearward swinging of the outer ends of the arms 26 and rollers 30 is limitedby stop pins 35', which extend outwardly from the sides of the frame above the pivOtZl. When the actuating member and arms have been swung their full distance, the parts have assumed the position shownin Figure 2, whereby the lower front edge of the upbolstered section A has been raised above the top of thesection B, to permit the latter to be slid forwardly from thcrebeneath. The height or distance which the forward portion of the sec.- tion A is raised depends upon the distance bee tween thepivot pins 2'! and the casters, and this distance may be varied as desired. Q

After the section A is raised, the section B is slid forwardly from beneath the same and the actuating member 25 and arms 26 returned to their normal or original position .(Figure 3), whereby the member 26 is again out of the 'way.

The mattress 33 is then placed on the spring structure l6 of the'section B and a double bed is formed. To return the section B to its positionbeneath the section A, the mattress 33 is replaced on the latter section and the actuatingmember 25 and lifting arms 26 areagain swung to raise the front of the section A, whereby the section B I can be readily slid therebeneath. It is again pointed'out' that it is not essential that the arms 26 and the longitudinal portion of the member 25 which forms the back rest of the couch be made integral asthe arms could'be individually operable; So long as the forward or lower portion of the arms 26 which carry the castersSO are invention are accomplished and the memberorj cated exterio'rly' of the housing so as tobe'readi1y';

accessible. Also since the section A is raisedto permit the. sliding of thesectionB, the 'uph'ol-.

stered section need not be provided with swinging moval of the section B. The elimination 'ofsuch panels or boards greatly enhances the appearance of the couchyfor the upholstering maybe finished off more neatly and ragged edges are obviated. It would of coursabe. possible to move the pivot-Ti A. Such swinging of the member 2 5 swings the 60. swung tolift the section A, the purposes of the panels or boards to permit the insertion or re-L'ZO".

ed pins 21 toward the rear of the section A and lift the rear of the couch by means of the arms 26 in which instance, the section B would be slid outwardly from beneath the rear of said section. However, this latter arrangement would not be as practical as lifting the front of the section A for manifestly, it would necessitate the movement of the upholstered section away from a wall or other obstruction, before the section B could be slid rearwardly from beneath the same.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A convertible couch including, an upholstered section, a movable section adapted to fit beneath the upholstered section, lifting arms pivotally mounted on the exterior of the upholstered section and adapted to be swung so that their forward ends engage the floor to raise the front portion of said upholstered section, whereby the movable section may be slid outwardly from beneath said upholstered section, and an actuating member connecting the lifting arms so that said arms may be swung simultaneously, said actuating member extending longitudinally of the upholstered section and being spaced above said section to form a back rest.

2. A convertible couch including, an upholstered section, a movable section adapted to fit section, whereby the movable section may beslid outwardly from beneath said upholstered section, resilient means attached to said arms for urging said arms to their lifting positions, means for limiting the swinging of said arms, and an actuating member connecting the lifting arms so that said arms may be swung simultaneously,

said actuating member extending longitudinally of the upholstered section and being spaced above said section to form a back rest.

3. A convertible couch including, a relatively stationary section arranged to tilt but not to roll on the floor, a rolling section movable under and from the stationary section, lifting arms pivoted to the lower forward portion of the stationary section at their lower end portions and extending above the said section to provide amplified leverage when swung, fulcrum rollers on the lower ends of the arms adjacent the floor and arranged to engage the floor so as to tilt the front portion of said stationary section upwardly to permit said rolling section to be rolled out from beneath the former while the same remains stationary, and

an actuating member connecting the upper ends of the lifting arms so that said arms may be swung simultaneously, said actuating member extending longitudinally of the stationary section and being spaced above said section to form a back rest.

JOSEPH J. ROGERS. EDWARD O. KERR. 

